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Friday, November 20, 2009

Dallas week, and not a minute too soon. I wish I could say that this game is close every year, but this is just not one of those years. I know we won last week, but let's not forget that we are 3-6, and our 3 wins are against the Rams, Bucs, and Broncos, all at home. So now we travel to play the #8 team by FO's metrics, who happened to lose a tough game last week. But the Cowgirls lost to same Denver team the Skins beat you say! Give me a break..........I'll keep my hopes down, although a win here puts the Skins back in the playoff picture.....just saying.....

On to the picks, FO's 'locks of the week' are now 3-6 with only 1 'lock' this week, their 'reasonable' picks are 16-24, and their 'stay away' picks are 49-44. The top 3 picks this week are all considered locks. FO's creator, Aaron Schatz, posted an apology for their awful picks this year, stating that he will work to tweak the system and make it better for the last bit of the season.

As usual, the FO picks are listed in order of confidence, and I have bolded a team wherever I differ (home teams in CAPS).

Cincinnati -10 over OAKLAND - Child please! The Bungles have arrived and should dominate, although Jamarcus Russell's absence could make for a slightly better Oakland offense.

Tennessee +5 over HOUSTON - Do people still think Houston is better than the Titans right now?

Miami +3 over CAROLINA - So I was wrong here and the pothead did just fine in place of Ronnie Brown.

Philadelphia -3 over CHICAGO - The Bears stink, so I dont understand this line; I would take the Eagles -7.

DETROIT -3.5 over Cleveland - This game is not worth discussing. FO has Detroit as their #3 straight-up pick, but please, do not bet on this game.

Buffalo +9 over Jacksonville - The FO system has Buffalo straight-up, but actually has an editor's note that the straight-up is particularly odd.

DENVER +3 over San Diego - Ummmm, 1 team lost to the Redskins last week and the other beat the Giants........

BALTIMORE +1.5 over Indianapolis - Sports Guy also likes the Ravens, and FO has the Ravens straight-up, but what has anyone seen from the Nevermores that indicates they can beat the Colts?

NEW ENGLAND -10.5 over New York Jets - The Pats should be particularly fired-up and the Jets will be their usual shitty selves.

Pittsburgh -10 over KANSAS CITY - I'll take the good team over the bad one. The KC line should be under assault all day.

Atlanta +6.5 over NEW YORK GIANTS - I have been getting burned by the Giants, but they have to bounce back eventually right?

New Orleans -11 over TAMPA BAY - A couple weeks ago this line would have been 14+, and I am still on board with the Saints.

Seattle +11 over MINNESOTA - Seattle will let you down!

Washington +11 over DALLAS - Call me superstitious, but I'm sticking with whatever worked last week, which means I will pick against the Skins, have the exact same people over to watch the game, eat the exact same meal, punch a hole in the exact same wall, etc.

GREEN BAY -7 over San Francisco - The Jesus-love of Singletary will not be enough against an actual good team.

ST. LOUIS +9 over Arizona - Sports Guy and FO like the Rams, but I need about 13 points to start thinking about the Rams.

Once again, FO gives the Skins a decent chance of winning, with Dallas as only their #10 straight-up pick (baby steps, I know). I still know we stink, so my strategy is to do everything the same as last week and I strongly encourage you to do the same.(Image courtesy of harryhogfootball.com)

The game stories from last night's Caps-Rangers game will all read something like this: Ovie scores in his first game back after missing two weeks with an injury and Matt Bradley nets the game-winner against his favorite whipping boy, Hank Lundqvist, while getting his face beaten up.

But the hero last night was Quintin Laing, who once again exemplified all that it means to be a hockey player in the process.

[AP Photo/Bill Kostroun]Selfless, courageous and undaunted by mortal danger, Laing put his body down to block a Michael Rozsival slap shot with the Capitals locked in a tight contest. The puck never found the net, instead connecting with Laing's face, breaking his jaw, per Tarik through a team spokesman. Play was halted after Laing remained crumpled on the ice, though he didn't stay down: like any true hockey player, Laing rose to his feet and skated to the bench before being escorted to the tunnel.

Laing's going to be on the shelf for "weeks." That probably means he'll take a Boost for breakfast and Ensure for dessert, and he couldn't be happier about it. Laing has proven throughout his professional hockey career that he's willing to do anything -- literally, anything -- to help his team. His ruptured spleen, permanent limp and gap-toothed smile attest to that; if taking a puck to the face is added to that list, then so be it. "Courageous" is how Bruce Boudreau described it. And how.

His attitude is contagious, and the example he sets, one of a warrior willing to sacrifice individual well-being for collective gain, is the stuff champions are made of. It remains to be seen what kind of legacy Laing will carve out for himself when his playing career is over, but when it comes to unrelenting selflessness, he's in a league of his own. Youngsters with AHL talent looking for a place in the NHL would find no better role model.

And now, in honor of Quintin Laing and his jaw, a tune by Mr. Kanye West.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Other than that, I'm speechless. I feel like one of those actresses at the Academy Awards, "This was so unexpected. I promised myself I wouldn't cry, but dreams really do come true....." I think Taylor Swift covers my feelings in this clip:

Maybe Kanye West is symbolic of what Dallas will do to us; he might as well be saying, "you're 3-6!"

I don't care though, I forgot what it feels like to win and really thought that a win wouldn't feel as sweet because our season is already over.........and I couldn't have been more wrong. I have a spring in my step, a twinkle in my eye, and a whole new outlook on this season. I have been wondering why I subject myself to depressing Redskin games, but this win is why I keep tuning-in, today made everything better, at least for 1 week.

Is this the right time to mention that we are 2 games out of a wild card spot with a lot of football left? Playoffs?!?

With the game still in progress, the Redskins have FINALLY achieved something every single NFL team has this season (as well as every single college, high school, and pop warner team):

They have scored 20 points! No wait, 24! And there is time for more, possibly!

No matter how this game ends, nor how this season ends, today we can hold hands and sing in joyous harmony. Oh the sweet glory.

UPDATE: Suisham's late FG gave the Redskins 27 points for the first time since Week 2 of last season, when they put up 29 on New Orleans. 14 months. They also won by 10 or more points for the first time since Week 17 of '07 against Dallas. It's a veritable orgy of point-scoring milestones. You know you're bad when a 27-17 win breaks all kinds of streaks. Wait, did I say bad? I meant "are Super Bowl bound." As Doc Walker declared: it's "a return to glory!"